West Lake Reservoir Dam
West Lake Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1906. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About West Lake Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of West Lake Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Danbury (local government). It impounds the Middle River, Broggs Brook near Danbury.
The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 950 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 248 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,665 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1906, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/22/2024.
At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Connecticut dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Fairfield |
| Nearest City | Danbury |
| River/Stream | Middle River, Broggs Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.40458, -73.49778 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Length | 950 ft |
| Year Completed | 1906 (120 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,440 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,665 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,440 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 248 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,715 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Danbury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00070 |
| Federal ID | CT00070 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |